Third baseman Travis Shaw slugged the first two home runs of his major league career and had four RBIs as the Boston Red Sox overcame another shaky start from Joe Kelly in an 11-7 win over the Tampa...

Londonderry High's Rob Del Signore, seen during Monday's game at Exeter, is the Lancers' second-leading hitter, but it's as a left-handed pitcher that he's expected to continue his career in college. (Bruce Taylor/Union Leader)

Roger Brown's Diamond Notes: Londonderry’s double threat

BY ROGER BROWNNew Hampshire Union Leader

HOW GOOD has the Londonderry High School pitching staff been this season? So good that junior Rob Del Signore, who is widely considered to be Londonderry’s No. 2 starter, hasn’t allowed a run in his last 27 innings on the mound.

Del Signore surrendered two runs — one earned — during the first inning of his first start, but hasn’t given up a run since.

“He’s had some arm issues in his past, but as you can see he’s fully healthy now,” Londonderry coach Brent Demas said. “He throws pretty hard, he’s got a good curveball and a very nice cutter.

“He doesn’t let many men get on base, and when he does, he bears down. Nothing gets to him.”

Del Signore, a left-hander, is 5-0 with one save and 39 strikeouts in 28 innings this season. He’s part of a staff that includes senior Ryan Moloney, who will pitch for the University of Massachusetts, and junior Tom Corey, who blanked Exeter on three hits over six innings on Monday.

Londonderry enters today’s game against Merrimack with a 1.26 team ERA.

“I’ve been feeling really good — really confident,” Del Signore said. “All three of us help each other out. Everyone’s been pitching really well this year.”

Demas: “I really have three aces. We have three guys who on most clubs would be No. 1’s.”

Del Signore, who was used sparingly on the mound last season, plays first base when he’s not pitching. He brings a .421 batting average into today’s game. Among Londonderry players, only shortstop Jake Welch has a higher average.

Demas said Del Signore’s future is likely on the mound but added that he could make it at the next level at another position, as well.

“Being in New England, I would think more colleges would be interested in him as a pitcher, but he’s a pretty good position player, too,” Demas said. “Robby’s just doing everything for us.”

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UNLIKE the Londonderry baseball staff, the ConVal Regional of Peterborough softball team has only one ace. But when your regular starting pitcher averages 14 strikeouts a game, one ace is enough.

Junior right-hander Courtney Fisher on Monday struck out 13 and allowed just one hit in a 2-0 win over Sanborn Regional of Kingston. The ninth of those strikeouts gave her 400 for her career.

The victory raised the Cougars’ record to 13-1, good for first place in Division II.

Sanborn’s only hit came in the seventh inning and forced Fisher to settle for her fifth one-hitter this season. That performance followed a 3-1 victory over Souhegan of Amherst last Friday, when she struck out 17.

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FRIDAY night’s softball game between Concord and Dover could determine the top seed for the Division I tournament.

Dover is currently alone in first place and will carry a 15-1 record into today’s game against Alvirne. Concord is 14-2 and has sole possession of second place, but must beat Spaulding today and then defeat Dover to finish first.

Friday night’s contest (7) will be played in Concord.

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SPAULDING of Rochester lost three of its first four softball games but has won 11 of 12 since. The Red Raiders extended their winning streak to eight games with Monday’s 6-1 triumph over Nashua South. ... Goffstown clinched the No. 1 seed for the Division II baseball tournament by beating Plymouth 10-1 Monday. The Grizzlies will complete their regular-season schedule with a home game against Merrimack Valley today. ... Hanover pitcher Joe Cravero tossed his second no-hitter of the season when Hanover beat John Stark of Weare, 5-0, last Wednesday. Cravero has allowed one hit in four of his six starts this season. In addition to his two no-hitters, he’s pitched a one-hitter and was pulled from another no-hitter because of a high pitch count. ... The Dover baseball team’s eight-game winning streak came to an end with Monday’s 3-1 loss to Pinkerton Academy of Derry. The Astros have won three in a row. ... The Gilford softball team is 13-1 in Divison III and can avenge its only loss today when it plays Franklin at home. Franklin prevailed, 3-2, in the first meeting. ... The Hillsboro-Deering softball team opened the season with back-to-back victories but has lost 12 in a row since then.

“Diamond Notes” appears is published Wednesdays in the New Hampshire Union Leader. Email staff reporter Roger Brown at rbrown@unionleader.com.